2023-24 YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
ANNUAL REPORT
WATCH OUR 24-25 VIDEO
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND BELONGING
On behalf of those who rely on, partner with, volunteer for, donate to, and work for the YMCA of San Diego County, we are honored to share our fiscal year 2023-24 annual report. This past year has been filled with remarkable achievements, unwavering support, and a commitment to fulfilling the Ys vision of being the catalyst to transform lives and communities, a vision that each of you is helping to bring to life.
We invite you to explore the details of our progress and impact through this report, highlighting key initiatives, successful programs, and the inspiring stories of individuals and families whose lives have been positively strengthened by our programs and services.
To share more, Please view a special message from Todd Tibbits, president and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County, and
Margie Newman-Tsay, chair of the Board of Directors.
INCREASING OUR REACH,
RESOURCES, AND IMPACT.
497,852
WELL-BEING TOUCHPOINTS
In the year ending June 30, 2024, the YMCA of San Diego County impacted the lives of 289,740 individuals, with an astounding 497,852 well-being touchpoints across a variety of programs and services. As the largest YMCA in the nation, it dutifully serves nearly 10% of San Diego County’s population, a region recognized as the 5th largest county in the United States.
STORIES OF IMPACT
Driving Community
Resources
With our “Drive to Thrive” Strategic Plan now in its third year, our commitment to transforming the Y into a thriving community hub has deepened significantly. We have intensified our focus on addressing the most pressing issues and needs in San Diego, ensuring that our services align closely with the community's priorities while making intentional efforts to measure effectiveness and success. Thanks to the tireless efforts of thousands of volunteers, dedicated staff, and generous donors, our Y achieved a remarkable milestone by fundraising a record-breaking
$8.4 MILLION
for scholarships and subsidized programs. This significant increase of nearly $1 million from the previous year demonstrates our collective drive to support those who rely on us the most, enabling us to provide vital resources and opportunities for 40,488 individuals in need.
The YMCA of San Diego County has been honored with the Platinum Transparency Level for 2024 by Guidestar Charity Check, the highest level of recognition bestowed by Candid. This acknowledgment highlights the Y’s commitment to openness, accountability, and providing comprehensive information about their operations and impact.
YMCA KEY STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES
LEADING THE WAY WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST
Why Childcare Matters to Community Well-Being
In recent years, our county and state have faced an unprecedented childcare crisis, demonstrating the vital importance of access to quality childcare for community well-being. This issue isn’t just about parents finding a place for their children to go during the day—it’s a fundamental pillar that supports the social and economic structure of our community. Reliable childcare enables parents to maintain employment, increases productivity, and stimulates local economies by allowing more families to participate fully in the workforce. Moreover, children who receive high-quality early education and care are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, which leads to healthier, more vibrant communities in the long run.
As a leader in childcare, the Y recognizes that increasing childcare access is not merely a service, but a strategic priority essential for community advancement. By providing more families with accessible, affordable childcare options, we can help alleviate pressures on parents, reduce inequalities, and promote a more inclusive society.
2,376 youth in Character Builders Before/After School Care
425 students enrolled in our Y’s Preschool Program
17,586 students enrolled in our state and federally funded Expanded Learning Program at 85 school sites throughout the county
Our Childcare Resource Service have made a significant impact on the lives of 59,647 individuals. Out of these, 23,497 individuals received concrete support, helping to stabilize and enhance their lives. We also connected 5,577 families to essential child care referrals, ensuring children have access to quality care. Additionally, 7,152 children directly benefited from these referrals, gaining the chance to learn and thrive in safe, nurturing environments. To further alleviate financial burdens, 7,814 families were provided with child care vouchers, offering crucial financial assistance for 13,815 children.
Putting the Person Before the Athlete:
Exploring Y Sports
In today's increasingly competitive world, the Y stands out as a beacon for nurturing talent and character. With a strong emphasis on putting the person before the athlete, the Y Sports programs attract a staggering 71,431 youth and adults annually in various sports, including gymnastics.
At the core of Y Sports lies the belief that building strong foundational values goes hand-in-hand with developing athletic skills. It is not just about the number of medals won but about fostering resilience, discipline, teamwork, and self-esteem. This holistic approach fuels personal growth and ensures that the positive impacts of sports extend well beyond the field or gym.
Learn more about the Ys Positive Youth Development approach.
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:
Striving to Change the Trajectory of the Youth and Teen Mental Health Crisis
We have a growing national emergency that demands immediate attention—the deteriorating state of youth and teen mental health. The startling data, outlined by Jonathan Haidt, a leading expert on the spike in youth and teen mental illness, showcases a grim reality. Rates of depression and anxiety among American adolescents have surged by more than 50% in studies conducted between 2010 and 2019, a stark increase from the relatively stable numbers seen in the 2000s. Furthermore, the suicide rate for children aged 10 to 14 tripled between 2007 and 2021, according to the CDC, and the percentage of high school girls who seriously considered attempting suicide leaped from 19% in 2011 to 30% in 2021.
These disturbing statistics emphasize the importance of the role organizations like the Y play in supporting positive youth development, encouraging family bonding, and fostering values and character. It’s crucial that we strive to engage families, create avenues for youth and teens to connect, encourage outdoor play, and ensure access to mentors. At the Y, we offer resources for parents and their kids to seek out counseling services and other forms of support through our Youth and Family Services, aiming to share, support, and inspire our youth, teens and young adults, towards a brighter, more connected future.
teens & the y:
- The YMCA Teen Achievers Program (Y-TAP) aims to create safe spaces for teen. The program includes tutoring, computer lab access, dinner, Urbanlife Rooftop Garden opportunities, field trips, Workshop Wednesdays and Fun Friday activities!
- The Y-Strong Girls Program provides tools to empower young women to create meaningful lives through healthy choices, self-awareness, mindfulness, movement, camaraderie and community involvement. The program is for girls ages 13 – 18 enrolled in middle school or high school.
- YMCA of San Diego County’s “Our Safe Place” provides a supportive environment for nearly 120 LGBTQ youth up to age 21 and their families, annually. This program is a certified, evidence-based, outpatient behavioral health program funded by the County of San Diego and Live Well San Diego since 2018.
- The Y provides a safe place to live, a reliable support system, a sense of purpose and connections and resources needed to flourish. Our Transitional Housing Department offers a safe and welcoming environment for homeless youth, foster youth and transition-age youth to support them in their transition to independence and self-sufficiency.
- SERVICES WE OFFER: Furnished housing, On-site case management and support, Education and employment assistance, Development of independent living skills, Relational wellness and counseling services, financial education and personal budgeting assistance.
- Dedicated Teen Centers with after school support, activities such as Chess, Youth Dance, Cooking, Fitness, Sports, Job Preparation Workshops, and 1-on-1 Mental Health Support.
- Teen programs such as sports leagues, swim and gymnastics team, Camp Leadership in Training and more!
- Our Y’s Positive Youth Development pilot is an evidence-based approach that focuses on meeting children and youth where they are and building on their strengths. This intentional, proactive method woven into our Y’s youth programs helps individuals develop the necessary tools and skills to meet life’s challenges.
HOW FINANCIAL HEALTH PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN OUR Y’s IMPACT
In today’s fast-paced world, nurturing a sense of community and belonging has become more vital than ever. At the heart of promoting these values, our Y has consistently been a cornerstone of support, offering programs and services that enhance both personal and communal well-being and providing all with a sense of belonging. However, to sustain and expand our reach, resources services and impact, understanding the financial aspect of our operations is crucial.
Our funding comes from a diverse mix of membership and program fees, donations, grants, and fundraising events. Each dollar is strategically allocated to ensure we maintain organizational strength, relevance, team well-being, and create equitable opportunities. This financial prudence not only ensures day-to-day operations but also facilitates future growth, allowing us to cater to an increasing number of community members who rely on our services for personal development and social engagement.
This transparency isn’t just about accountability; it’s about fostering a sense of shared responsibility and partnership with our donors, volunteers and those we serve.
BUILDING A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Thank You to YMCA of San Diego County’s Heritage Club Members & Golden Circle Donors
Community Well-Being & Belonging
A YEAR OF
“DRIVE TO THRIVE”
STRATEGIC PLAN MILESTONES
ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GRATITUDE
The Annual Celebration of Gratitude is a cherished event where YMCA Board Volunteers, Major Donors, and Heritage Club members come together to reflect on the profound impact of their contributions. This gathering serves as an opportunity for YMCA leaders to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the crucial support that drives the organization's mission. See event highlights here.
FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY-MINDED IMPACT
Our Executive Leadership team is proud to share their locations, community highlights, fiscal year strategic successes and outline the exciting initiatives that lie ahead.
Click map to view each locations Executive memo.
Executive Quotes
Courtney Baltiyskyy
Vice President of Policy & Advocacy
I’m proud to reflect on our Y’s growing reputation as a strong ally for children, youth, families, and child care providers. Our policy vision focuses on critical issues such as access to child care, ending youth homelessness, and enhancing mental health services.
It’s essential that these opportunities are accessible to all. Through our advocacy efforts and collaboration with public partners, we’ve celebrated many wins and set a path for the future.
Courtney Cordero
Vice President of Development
I am incredibly proud of the development team we have built—a team that strengthens our organization by providing exceptional guidance and leadership in fundraising. Through their hard work, dedication, and innovative approaches, they continually elevate our fundraising efforts. Their commitment not only fuels our mission but also fosters a culture of generosity and impact, expanding equitable opportunities across our community and helping us better serve those who rely on our programs and services. We also had an incredible year of innovative fundraising strategies that have been implemented. By integrating a CRM and online fundraising platform, we’ve taken our online fundraising and administrative processes to a new level, making it easier for donors and volunteers to give and raise funds and transacting over $2M dollars online alone. With a dedicated team and innovative fundraising approaches, our Y was able to raise a record of $8.4M in Annual Campaign and over $700,000 in special events to ensure access for all.
Krysta Esquivel
Vice President of Social Services
YMCA of San Diego County, Youth & Family Services
This year I’m incredibly proud of the great strides we’ve made in enhancing our continuum of care for mental health services, with a strong focus on prevention. As the youth mental health crisis grows, it has become clear that addressing this challenge requires a community-based solution. Our strategy is to meet young people where they are. That’s why we are leading an Association-wide initiative to integrate a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach across our Y’s youth-serving programs, including camps and after-school programs. Additionally, we’ve expanded our school-based counseling services and welcomed the blending of our early childhood mental health teams—formerly part of YMCA Childcare Resource Service—into our mental and behavioral health department.
Our leadership and commitment to addressing youth homelessness remain unwavering. Our third Solidarity Journey saw unprecedented community support, raising more donations than ever before and enhancing our systems-level change efforts. This year, we are proud to announce that we have been awarded a $1 million Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant will enable us to make services more equitable for youth and improve data collection on youth homelessness—further bolstering our efforts to support young people in attaining safe, stable, dignified housing
David Frederick
Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer
I’m so proud of the work of our collective Y teams. But I’m especially proud of our launch of our ‘COMMUNITY WELL-BEING & BELONGING” branding which highlights our impact in health & wellness and our impact in also providing essential community services and resources to help those in need.
Shannel Halbo Farida
Chief Resource Officer & General Counsel
The accomplishment I am most proud of for FY 23-24 is leading our Association in becoming Praesidium accredited. Achieving this accreditation was not only a mandatory requirement from Y of USA but also a testament to our organization’s strength, relevance, and unwavering commitment to child abuse prevention. This significant achievement underlines our dedication to ensuring the safety of our staff, members, and clients, reinforcing our top priority of maintaining a safe environment. By obtaining Praesidium accreditation, we have solidified our promise to preserve trust and uphold the highest standards of safety within our organization, setting a benchmark for excellence in care and protection.
Jonathan Hall
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
I am extremely proud that the association was able to deliver on our commitment to returning to profitability in Fiscal 24. Not only did we grow revenues faster than expenses, but we were able to create a Net Operating Income surplus above our budgeted goal. This is important because the more net operating surplus we can create there is a one-to-one direct correlation to our reinvestment fund which will be used to invest in our team our infrastructure and our financial sustainability.
I am also very proud that we have made great progress in our deferred maintenance program and that we have restarted our capital projects and capital campaign work. This will help us stay relevant to the needs of our various communities and provide a place that our staff and guests can be proud of, feel safe in, and our staff feel supported by.
Kim McDougal
Senior Vice President of Social Services, YMCA Childcare Resource Service
This year has been a period of significant growth and innovation. We fully embraced the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework, which has guided our efforts to promote positive childhood experiences and build resilience within our community. By focusing on the needs of both families and providers, we’ve expanded our shared services to include a comprehensive suite of business support, providing child care providers with the resources, training, and financial assistance they need to thrive. We established Employer-Supported Child Care Partnerships, allowing us to reach even more families and ensure that children receive the care they need while parents pursue their careers. Additionally, we have made significant investments in our team’s well-being and development, striving to create a workplace that is safe, welcoming, and supportive of both personal and professional growth. I am continually inspired by the passion and commitment of our team, who bring their full selves to this work every day, while focusing on the needs of families and providers, driving innovation, and building strong partnerships.
Shelly McTighe-Rippengale
Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Advancement Officer
Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the benefits of our Y programs, which is why creating equitable opportunities is at the heart of our mission. The impact of our last Annual Campaign, which raised a record-breaking $8.4 million, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring access to these experiences for everyone, regardless of their location or financial status. This impressive achievement facilitates our Ys efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community members. By breaking down barriers, we are not only fostering resilience and enhancing quality of life but also laying the groundwork for a brighter future for all, especially our children.
John Merritt
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
As the CIO of the YMCA of San Diego County, I’m immensely proud of our strides in digital transformation, which not only modernize but also deepen our commitment to well-being for every individual in our community. By implementing world-class technologies, championed by our dedicated staff, we enhance how we deliver our mission, vision, and values to the diverse communities we serve. Our focus on AI and data-driven systems is intentionally designed to elevate—not replace—the essential human connection and care that are core to the Y. We’re building and optimizing technology to expand equitable access to our programs, reinforcing our commitment to tech equity, and ensuring that everyone benefits from modern solutions. By driving our organizational strength through these initiatives, we are connecting our communities with technology that is relevant, compassionate, and innovative, securing our place as a vital resource for all.
Yolanda Pitchford
Vice President of Membership and Analytics
As a 19-year veteran in the YMCA movement, FY 23-24 was my first year with the YMCA of San Diego County as our Vice President of Membership and Analytics, and what an excellent FY24 year we had in Membership. In October of 2023, I was charged with implementing our new membership categories and rates for the Association. With a focus on an Engaged Team, we trained and worked collaboratively across all Branches to launch a new and inclusive Membership Model across all 14 Branches. The changes led to a $6.8MM or 23% increase over FY23 in membership revenue growth, growing our resources positioning the YMCA of San Diego County to grow our impact. In addition to the increase in revenue, membership units grew 3,464 units in self-pay and 4,895 units in third party. This is a 10% increase in self-pay year over year. The average rate per unit increased from $61 in FY23 to $79 in FY24, a $19 per unit increase or 31% growth.
Todd Tibbits
president and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County
One of my proudest accomplishments this fiscal year is seeing our vision of growth and reinvestment transform from an ambitious concept into a tangible reality. The $1.1 million surplus we achieved not only marks a historic financial milestone but also reflects our unwavering commitment to the values and mission that drive our Y. It’s more than a number—it’s a symbol of the incredible teamwork, determination, and belief in what we can achieve together. This success enables us to reinvest in our people, our programs, and the community we serve.
Sarah Reese
Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for branches and overnight camp
This year, I am incredibly proud of our remarkable commitment to nurturing the spirit, mind, and body of our team, recognizing that they are the essential foundation of the Y’s mission. By investing in these areas, we have not only strengthened our team but also set into motion a ripple effect that benefits the entire community. Our dedicated staff are the backbone of our organization, and their well-being directly influences the positive impact we create. Providing opportunities for professional development, wellness programs, and mental health support has empowered our team to thrive, ultimately fostering a thriving community. As a result, our approach to nurturing our team members resonates throughout our programs and services, inspiring change and fostering a sense of unity and purpose.
Julian Villegas
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
This year, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) has been grounded in intentional action, data-driven strategies, and a collective effort across our organization.
Through focused leadership, meaningful celebrations, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive programming, we continue to cultivate a welcoming environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve. Looking to the future, we remain resolute in advancing DEIB initiatives, ensuring that equity and belonging are at the heart of everything we do.
Marnie Willey
Vice President of Human Resources
This year, I am incredibly proud of our Y’s accomplishments. As our strategic plan outlines, we are committed to prioritizing team well-being. In FY23-24, we established a comprehensive internal staff page dedicated to promoting team well-being. The page is a central hub, providing staff easy access to many well-being resources and information about staff activities. We also dedicated time and space specifically to mental health practices and discussions. In May, our Y raised awareness by promoting initiatives centered around mental health, recognizing the importance of mental well-being for our team and the wider community. A team of passionate staff members carefully planned and organized various activities to foster connection and provide valuable informational resources. Additionally, we hosted a Recognition and Innovation Summit. This half-day event celebrated individual years of service and placed a spotlight on innovation throughout the Association. It was a significant occasion, marking the first time our team has gathered for this type of event in person since January 2020. We also successfully launched the new Leadership Foundations Academy. This much-anticipated in-person training focuses on elevating supervisory capabilities and consists of four monthly interactive sessions, including practical application activities, YMCA of San Diego support information, leadership resources, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities. All of these efforts represent our commitment to creating an environment of care and support and demonstrate our commitment to team well-being.
HELPING TO PROVIDE A PATH FOR A STRONG YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Association Executive Leadership Share Their Proudest Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated YMCA Board of Directors for their unwavering support and commitment.
